Chosei Funahara, a renowned Japanese filmmaker, was born in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan. His educational background is a testament to his diverse cultural influences, having studied in both America and Japan. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Nihon University College of Art's Film Department in Tokyo, a institution renowned for its excellence in the field of film.
During his time at Nihon University, Funahara's passion for filmmaking only grew stronger. He went on to pursue his graduate studies at New York University's Graduate School of Cinema Studies, where he had the unique opportunity to perform as a founding member of the cult punk rock group THE PLASMATICS. This experience not only honed his skills as a musician but also exposed him to the world of alternative music.
Throughout his illustrious career, Funahara has produced or directed over fifty short films, documentaries, and numerous TV commercials in Japan, the United States, and Europe. His impressive filmography includes a wide range of projects, such as the feature film WAR (1999),co-directed by Funahara and produced by Hal Hartley, as well as the critically acclaimed WIDGET (1999).
In addition to his feature film credits, Funahara has also produced and directed a number of notable documentaries and TV commercials. These projects include CACOPHONY, LONESOME HITMEN FROM MONTANA, which aired on German TV ZDF in 1988, COCKROACH ALARM IN SPANISH HARLEM (1987),and NEW YORK CITY MARATHON (1986),written by Ryu Murakami.
Funahara's work has also extended to the realm of music videos. One of his most notable projects is the music video I AM SIAM (1984),which won the American Video Award. Furthermore, he served as the Musical Supervisor for the original motion picture soundtrack of THE WEDDING BANQUET.
Throughout his career, Funahara has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of artists, including John Cale and Zoe Tamerlaine in THE HOUSE GUEST (1986). His extensive experience in the film industry has not only made him a respected figure in the Japanese film community but also a sought-after talent in the international film scene.
